The Dink Network

"A short romp - that sorta turns into a quest. Dink is summoned by King Daniel to find out why the world is becoming a desert. This DMOD started out as being a project I wanted to spend only 24 hours on. Basically start it one night and have it finished the next. I didn't make it. Bugs (hopefully all the really nasty ones are killed now) and the desire to add new graphics (so shoot me, I can't help myself) meant it took just over 72 hours. Mind you this was not non-stop."

*Best download of june 2002*

Ah, another SimonK D-MOD. Suprisingly he has done a romp, and a very good romp at that. It isn't a brilliant romp, and that's why I don't think it should have won DOTM but it is still a very good one. Basically, Dink is sent on a mission up north to see what's causing the sands to 'creep'. A typical D-MOD plot, Dink goes to investigate something, and something bas happens. Normal plot, nothing special. Lot's of new graphics, which is good. There are goods, and there are bads, here's what I think...

Strengths
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There are plenty of new graphics here, some much better than others. As usual though with SimonK's average D-MOD quality they are all at a high standard. Some have been taken from Simon's Stone Of Balance, and some have been taken from other D-MODS, but there are some new graphics that are only seen in this D-MOD. Bouncing boobies is an example of new graphics. Also, Simon's eyeball graphics make an appearance in this D-MOD, and I like the way that they have been used. There are lots of new scripts in this D-MOD and they are all of a very good standard. The plot here has been developed well, and has been well thought out and well constructed. There are quite a few new midis, and there is a very cool title screen which is made to resemble the theme of the D-MOD, it is bsically a black screen that is then covered by sand, hence the D-MODS name, "The Creeping Sands". For the strengths section I feel the graphics here are the best thing about the D-MOD, but that is a normal thing if you look at some of his other D-MODS. They have all been done well and the game has been made very well. But, the weaknesses....

Weaknesses
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There are quite a few times where you just walk around in this D-MOD. Simply walking around doing nothing, I found a small amount of hardness errors and some strange bits which I did not like. The rock on the bridge is very strange as it is the only place where I got stuck, but I got stuck for quite a bit not knowing what to do as the part hadn't been explained very well. When I got through however, the rest of the game was at an average standard, which is also not the best thing. This D-MOD is also a bit long to be classed as a romp, I'd put it closer to a quest. There were some midis that didn't fit some parts very and some that were in the right place but were not lively enough to set the mood for anything special in the D-MOD. Lower marks here for the music. I couldn't find any more weaknesses but can assure you there are more, I played through the D-MOD quickly as I didn't have much time so I was bound to have missed some.

Overall
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A good, fun enjoyable romp. Using SimonK's usual D-MOD style. Basic plot, well developed, lots of new graphics, but some midis were bad. Lots of walking around is not also good.

Total 7.8
Grade B (Passing with good marks)

End Comment "A fun, enjoyable romp, worth the short download"